As our 150th year comes to a close, I write with deep gratitude and reflection. This year asked much of us individually and collectively. Yet, in a time marked by transition and challenge, we have shown what it means to move forward with purpose.
The recent Commencement celebrations for the Class of 2025 reminded me that CC’s greatest strength is, and always has been, our people. I watched graduates celebrate with the faculty, staff, friends, and family members who have made their journeys possible — and exchanged plenty of hugs myself. I’ve watched this Commencement video multiple times, reliving the celebration!
These bonds are what will carry CC’s mission forward for generations to come.
Nurturing and protecting them has been at the heart of my work as I have served as your interim president. Being in this role is an honor. I also recognize that interim leadership naturally brings uncertainty as it communicates that more change may be ahead. It can make strategic alignment, organizational momentum, and cultural continuity more difficult. And yet, we have continued to show up for one another, for this institution, and for the future we’re building together.
This year unfolded against a shifting national landscape for higher education that introduced legitimate concerns around institutional autonomy, freedom of expression, and most fundamentally, the safety and dignity of our community. These issues will continue to require our close attention and collective engagement.
At the same time, I’m proud of the way we’ve transformed these pressures into progress and strengthened the institution in preparation for the next 150 years:
|
- Months before the close of the fiscal year, we exceeded our fundraising goal for new commitments, raising nearly $20 million to date.
- Our alumni were heavily engaged in 150th celebrations — teaching and participating in Homecoming microblocks, sharing memories and reflections, and hosting CC Day events across the country.
- We earned the Research Colleges and Universities (RCU) designation from Carnegie and were recognized as a Career Connected Campus from the Colorado Department of Higher Ed — affirmations of the breadth and value of a CC education.
- The Collaborative for Community Engagement partnered with over 210 local organizations this academic year, and 60 percent of CC students engaged in community work — deepening our ties to Colorado Springs and the broader region.
- Several of our athletic teams had their winningest seasons in program history, and 90 percent of fall student-athletes earned All-Academic honors in their conferences. (Spring data is still coming in!)
- We piloted new, joyful traditions like the Campus Sleep-Out and Tiger Look-Alike Contest — both of which will return next year — while continuing beloved ones, like Llamapalooza, Battle of the Bands, and Dance Workshop.
|
|
|
And now, we look ahead.
The future is already taking shape. We are welcoming the Class of 2029, students who see in this place a legacy worth protecting. They come from 46 states and Washington, D.C., and 23 countries, with 88 students preparing to join our DI and DIII athletic teams. Each member of this class will undoubtedly bring talents, questions, and perspectives that will enrich our shared life. As they arrive, we’re reminded of what we’re here to sustain and protect.
Indeed, our work is far from done, as external forces continue to threaten the very mission of liberal arts institutions like ours. Federal proposals aim to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts; limit what can be taught in classrooms; hinder our ability to offer robust financial aid; and exert greater political control over institutional governance. I echo faculty concerns about academic freedom and will continue to protect our campus-wide commitment to inclusion and belonging, ensuring that our classrooms remain spaces of critical inquiry and deep care.
Our faculty’s dedication to teaching students how to think underpins the intellectual heart of the College. We must, therefore, continue to speak with one voice, grounded in shared purpose, as we remind the world of the enduring worth of what we do here. We must keep students at the center of every decision, ensuring that all who come to CC have both the opportunity and the support to thrive. We must care for our most vulnerable — not just standing beside them, but stepping in front when needed.
The headwinds facing higher education and society more broadly are strong. Meeting this moment calls for clarity of purpose, humility in learning, and an unwavering commitment to one another. We cannot afford complacency. This is a time to act with intention, lead with care, and lean on the strength of our community.
As our Commencement speaker Mike Shum ’07 said to the Class of 2025, “You don’t have to be brave alone… let’s be brave together. Let’s stand together.”
I am proud of where we stand at the close of this year. More than that, I believe in what we can accomplish together as our shared journey continues.
Thank you for your work, your heart, and your belief in our CC.
Warmly,
|
|
|
You are receiving this email because you are a member of the Colorado College community. Thank you for the important work you do each day.
View this email online.
14 E. Cache La Poudre St. | Colorado Springs, CO 80903 US
|
|
|
|
